Google Chrome OS Netbook Coming this Month

Along with the Chrome tablet computer, Google may release a netbook computer that will be running Chrome OS this November. A Taiwanese site Digitimes started the rumor and posted that a 'smartbook' is scheduled to be unleashed later this month.

A smartbook is described as a type of mobile device that offers a mix of smartphone and netbook functionality such as Wi-Fi, 3G, and GPS. It comes in a laptop or tablet-style form and may have a screen size of 7 to 10 inches.

The Google Chrome netbook is said to feature an ARM-based platform and will not be selling through retail means. Inventec, a Taiwan-based company, will manufacture the device with starting shipments expected to reach 60,000-70,000 units.

According to Digitimes, several sources have said that Acer and Hewlett-Packard (HP) will also release their Chrome OS-based products around December, while Asustek Computer is on a wait-and-see mode and is currently keeping an eye on the market. Quanta Computer will manufacture both HP and Acer netbooks.

Various reports regarding Google Chrome devices are telltale signs that the release of the final (stable) version of the much-awaited Chrome OS is imminent. If you are planning to buy a Windows-powered netbook, I recommend you postpone it a bit at least until the end of the month.